Skater bracelet ban played down

Australia's Olympic team played down reports young figure skater Cheltzie Lee had been banned from wearing a sentimental bracelet in memory of a friend who died three years ago.

The 16-year-old has worn the trinket, which says 'Have a Morgan Moment' on it, ever since her friend Morgan Innes, along with four others, died in a ferry accident on Sydney Harbour in 2007.

Lee was supposed to join them on the boat but pulled out at the last minute.

Australian newspapers said that under International Olympic Committee advertising rules she would be prevented from wearing it at the Vancouver Games, and quoted her mother as saying she was heartbroken.

"It's been hard for Cheltzie, hard for everyone who knew Morgan because she was just such a beautiful girl," the mother, Renita Lee, told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

Australian team spokesman Mike Tancred said there was no ban.

"She's never worn the bracelet in competition and had no intention of doing so," he said.

"The bracelet, we don't think contravened any rule anyway. It's not an advertising bracelet."

The teenager was just delighted to be at the Games, having only found out she was in the team last week.

"When I got home (from the 2010 Four Continents Championships in South Korea), I got the call and I was over the moon," she said here.

"It was just a bonus when I got the call. I just looked at my mum and I couldn't stop smiling."